Radiation... Truth vs. Myth

Two dental x-rays expose you to the same amount of radiation as eating fifteen bananas.

TRUE

The amount of radiation exposure you get from many everyday activities is greater than that of a dental x-ray. For example, cooking with natural gas, flying in a plane, and even eating bananas expose you to more radiation than a dental x-ray. Eating 15 bananas is the same amount of radiation as taking 2 x-rays! 
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(Bananas are slightly radioactive because they contain potassium and potassium decays. It would take 10,000,000 bananas in one day to give you radiation poisoning, so don't be afraid to keep eating them!)

Dental x-rays will affect the breast milk of nursing women. 

FALSE
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Nursing mothers often go through a number of tests, including mammograms and x-rays, to determine if they are healthy. A dental x-ray is no different than these. 

Dental x-rays are harmful because they are emitting radiation to your head and brain.

FALSE
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Actually, the amount of radiation you receive from a dental x-ray is not significant enough to cause you any damage. We use advanced dental technology to ensure that the focus of the beams only exposes the teeth. 

The benefits of dental x-rays far outweigh any potential consequences.


​TRUE

Dental x-rays are one of our most valuable tools in detecting and treating oral health problems. Many oral diseases cannot be detected by visual and psychical examination alone. Dental x-rays can help us diagnose early-stage decay, gum diseases, infection, and some types of tumors.